Duane Hicks
While encouraging fire safety is always part of their mandate, the Fort Frances Fire/Rescue Service will be doing a little more to get its message out to local residents during Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 4-10).
Fort Frances Fire Chief Gerry Armstrong will make a presentation to town council regarding Fire Prevention Week at its regular meeting tonight.
Then the fire department will be at Canadian Tire this Saturday (Oct. 3) from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. to get a jump on Fire Prevention Week.
Canadian Tire once again is a sponsor of Fire Prevention Week activities here and across Canada all next week.
Fire trucks will be on display there, as well as fire prevention displays, an information booth, and lots of giveaways.
Kids also can enter a draw for a chance to win a mountain bike and other prize packs.
As well, firefighters will be visiting elementary schools all next week to meet with students and spread their message of fire prevention (see the double-page ad in Wednesday’s Times for a schedule of the visits).
Chief Armstrong said this morning that the fire department’s message never really changes, but noted Fire Prevention Week is when they promote it in conjunction with other agencies across North America.
“We just want to say to the residents that fire prevention is year-round,” he stressed. “Homeowners have certain responsibilities to
ensure their homes are fire safe, with working smoke alarms and escape plans.
“Beyond that, be aware, be conscious. A fire can strike any time.
“We’ve been pretty fortunate through 2009. We’ve not had any serious or major fires, and that’s a good thing,” Chief Armstrong added.
“That’s a reflection of people being aware and people doing the right things.”
Tonight’s council meeting is scheduled to start at 7:25 p.m.
The committee of the whole will meet first at 5:30 p.m., but is expected to be in-camera until 5:55 p.m.
Other business at tonight’s meeting will include:
•a presentation of a plaque of appreciation to Marlene McQuarrie, representing Beta Sigma Phi, for 10 years of dedicated volunteer service at the Townshend Theatre;
•an introductory presentation from James McPherson representing Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA);
•a request from the Rainy River Valley Safety Coalition to proclaim Oct. 7 as “Safe Communities Day” in the Town of Fort Frances;
•a request from resident Doug Jensen regarding the private crossing located between 559 and 561 Church St.;
•a request from the Lupus Foundation of Ontario to proclaim October as “Lupus Awareness Month” in the Town of Fort Frances;
•letters from the BIA requesting the replacement of flag pole and regarding downtown flower baskets;
•a request from John. P. Hogan regarding the placement of shrubs at 6 Armstrong Pl.;
•an amendment to a FedNor contract in regards to Heritage Tourism Project Phase II funding;
•Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP) applications;
•a report regarding skate sharpening at the Memorial Sports Centre;
•a report on the town’s Fire Master Plan;
•a five-year capital plan under the MTO’s “Connecting Link” funding program;
•an encroachment agreement at 430 Third St. E.;
•a report on By-Law 13/01 and corner sight triangles;
•an RFP for a Civic Centre HVA systems condition and maintenance report;
•an invitation from Riverside Foundation for Health Care to attend “Oktoberfest 2009” on Oct. 3;
•a purchase card expense claim for CAO Mark McCaig;
•per diem expense claims for Couns. John Albanese and Rick Wiedenhoeft;
•a report on an amendment to Traffic Control By-Law 10/03 regarding the parking prohibition on Nelson Street;
•Town of Fort Frances Strategic Plan Item No. 10—a facilities maintenance report;
•verbal updates from Community Services manager George Bell and Operations and Facilities manager Doug Brown on local projects;
•information regarding the consideration of council’s decision to permanently close Runway 03/21 at the airport;
•a report on the completion of the asbestos management plan;
•a bylaw to approve an agreement with Carol Barrell for operation of concessions in the Memorial Sports Centre;
•a bylaw to approve a contract with Nortrax Canada Inc. for the purchase of a John Deere model 770G (Tender No. 09-OF-08); and
•a bylaw to approve a contract awarded to KGS Group for engineering services to complete a study of inflow and infiltration into the town’s sanitary sewer system (Tender 09-OF-12).
